The benefits of a long leadership race
Perhaps the Tories did know what they were doing after all; though in reality I can't help but feel that the benefits that have now been demonstrated by having a long leadership contest are being exposed and felt more through luck rather that the great wisdom of the hierachy. It is interesting to see the leading contenders setting out their respective positions and some very real differences are starting to emerge. For me I think the most astute move has been that of David Davis, bringing in Willets to bolster the social side of his reform agenda and to help give him a position on this issue which has rapidly become the defining point of this campaign. Who would have predicted that? The party of economic management, privatisation and hangers and floggers picking a leader on the basis of their social reform agenda! I can't stand DD - I find him a loathesome individual and he's on the opposite side of the party to me but he is a very able politician.
A reminder (for those of you who aren't such politco geeks as me of the main runners and their support base;
David Davis - very strong support in the wider Tory Party. He's a right winger (Evil Man), I can't stand him. Has typical Thatcherite tendencies when it comes to economic policy. His social policy is evolving - with Willets to support and develop this, I think he could come up with a very strong platform. In the same bracket you have Liam Fox; he could be the dark horse who unsettles DD. He can probably command greater support in the Parlimentary Party than DD and also has good contacts in the wider party. Whilst a right winger he's far less Thatcherite in his economic postion.
Ken Clarke / Malcolm Rifkind - Both of them are keen to move the party towards a broader Conservative model and throw off the shackles of Thatcherism. Often described as 'One Nation' candidates - I guess they are, but that is a rather simplistic tag. Malcolm would certainly help to bring the patrician mindset back into the Party. Reasonable parlimentary support; I personally would prefer Ken to step down and throw himself behind Malcolm. The split in this camp will asssist the Evil Man (see above).
Edward Leigh / Michael Ancram - haven't formally declared and it would be interesting if they did. Ancram will fail; he doesn't have support or indeed a particularly strong platform. Edward Leigh......Again, rather like Liam Fox, could be a bit of a surprise success. He chairs the PAC, has a reasonable reputation and whilst not instantly recognisable does at least have a profile. Some support in the Parlimentary Party but only some! I don't think that he has a strong cohesive position and I don't think that he can engage sufficiently well with the grassroots to make much running.
David Cameroon; the darling of the media and suposed to be the saviour of the party. Bluntly, he's too young and untested. I hope and pray that he doesn't win. I'd even prefer DD to him. Would make an excellent Social Affairs or shadow Home Secretary though and is surely a future leader.
A reminder (for those of you who aren't such politco geeks as me of the main runners and their support base;
David Davis - very strong support in the wider Tory Party. He's a right winger (Evil Man), I can't stand him. Has typical Thatcherite tendencies when it comes to economic policy. His social policy is evolving - with Willets to support and develop this, I think he could come up with a very strong platform. In the same bracket you have Liam Fox; he could be the dark horse who unsettles DD. He can probably command greater support in the Parlimentary Party than DD and also has good contacts in the wider party. Whilst a right winger he's far less Thatcherite in his economic postion.
Ken Clarke / Malcolm Rifkind - Both of them are keen to move the party towards a broader Conservative model and throw off the shackles of Thatcherism. Often described as 'One Nation' candidates - I guess they are, but that is a rather simplistic tag. Malcolm would certainly help to bring the patrician mindset back into the Party. Reasonable parlimentary support; I personally would prefer Ken to step down and throw himself behind Malcolm. The split in this camp will asssist the Evil Man (see above).
Edward Leigh / Michael Ancram - haven't formally declared and it would be interesting if they did. Ancram will fail; he doesn't have support or indeed a particularly strong platform. Edward Leigh......Again, rather like Liam Fox, could be a bit of a surprise success. He chairs the PAC, has a reasonable reputation and whilst not instantly recognisable does at least have a profile. Some support in the Parlimentary Party but only some! I don't think that he has a strong cohesive position and I don't think that he can engage sufficiently well with the grassroots to make much running.
David Cameroon; the darling of the media and suposed to be the saviour of the party. Bluntly, he's too young and untested. I hope and pray that he doesn't win. I'd even prefer DD to him. Would make an excellent Social Affairs or shadow Home Secretary though and is surely a future leader.